Football Blog – Recent

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51 thoughts on “Football Blog – Recent

  1. Mr. Smith,

    Fantastic website. I wanted to point out that you have Sean Doyle’s all time record wrong. His record is 204-94 (.685) in 24 seasons (1996-2019). During the 2012 season, Cathedral’s official record was 2-8, not 0-10. We have official wins over both St. Augustine and Lincoln that season.

    1. If you go to the “Football” menu and scroll to years or teams you’ll see that we listed Cathedral at 2-8. However, I went back over the years with my calculator and saw where we didn’t add correctly. Very happy to correct that error. Our log lists Doyle as 204-94. WE’ll make the fix on the “Coach 100” page. Thanks for writing.

      1. Scotty: I believe you’ve written to me in the last couple days but I cannot find your message. The question was whether the USD stadium was built when Cathedral, then known as University of San Diego High, had played their games at USD and was there a football stadium at USD? USD upset the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, 21-20 at Westgate Park, home of the Padres in 1960. I think the USD stadium opened in 1961, where the San Diego Chargers trained their first two years here, 1961 and ’62. I once saw a game involving University at the campus field across Linda Vista Road, in maybe 1959 or ’60. I hope this helps.

  2. Rick,
    I was turned on to your fantastic website today after asking for help from one of Santana High’s more knowledgeable sports historian’s, Adam Paul.

    I have been trying to determine the date of a particular 1968 game: Santana vs Granite Hills. I noticed you have listed every game and every score, which is awesome in itself. The date of that game has great personal significance for my wife and me.

    I was a 17 year old senior when I became infatuated by a 15 year old sophomore. I was painfully shy, as was she, and contact usually consisted of a quick hello in the halls between classes.

    Finally, on a Friday that Fall, I mustered the courage to ask if she planned on going to the game that night. She said she was and I promised to score a TD for her. I caught several passes, despite being doubled most of the game, and finally got behind the defense for Santana’s lone score in a 42-7 rout.

    She and I joke about what might have happened if I did not keep my promise. We’ve been together ever since and have been married for 46 years. I was hoping for some way to determine the date of that game that took place probably 50 years ago this month. Any suggestions?

    1. Pretty bold move, Skip, your predicting a touchdown to win the favor of your wife-to-be of 46 years, or something like that. Apparently you drew back your bow and let the arrow go (with apologies to Sam Cooke and his 1961 recording of “Cupid’) on Oct. 25, 1968. You provided good info on Granite Hills being the opponent and the score. The game was fifth on the Sultans’ schedule and was followed on Nov. 1 with a game against Monte Vista. Congratulations.

  3. Finally good writing about our preps again! Along the lines of Canepa, Schofield, Maffei Et. Al. Nice work Rick
    Coach Henry
    LCCHS

    1. I started as a prep writer on the Tribune, before Nick even was a copy boy, many, many years sgo. Thanks for writing, Coach.

  4. Nothing about that 1979 Morse High Tigers break away backfield – QB Keith Magee, RB Dino Babers, RB Billy Ervin, FB mark Kennedy, who made the Tribune athlete of the week.. 1978* 79 Tigers finished 11-1 and is not recognized. How can I find my
    statistics..?

    1. Billy: This is the message I sent to you in March, 2017:

      “I found the athlete-of-the-week article, Billy, and I’m going to put the illustration that went with the article on my blog. I’ll send you a copy of the article I found on the Central Library microfilm. Let me know your address.”

      1. Thanks for your address. I hope to get around and do something on the 1979 track season. I’ll check to see what I have in my files on you and Morse.

      2. Thank you. As of today I don’t know any statistics of my performance as a runningback, defensiveback and punt returner. I only played one year of football. After our loss to San Pasqual, I remember the next day walking in the locker room Coach shack stopped me and said I didn’t receive anything because I was considered a fluke.

      3. Billy, search 1978 on partletonsports.com. There are some mentions of the Morse Tigers and there’s an illustration which appeared in the Evening Tribune and which you mentioned to me probably a year ago. When I get around to writing about the 1979 track season I’ll be sure to remember that Morse 4×1600 relay team that ran 3:14.8, still one of the all-time marks in San Diego history. I don’t have any of your individual football stats. John Shacklett would be the one who would have those.

  5. I just read about this website from this morning’s paper in Nick’s column, what a great find! I played on Kearny’s 1973 undefeated CIF Champioship team, and our 1973-74 basketball team was undefeated and CIF champions as well. I’ve always wondered if there has ever been a year where both football and basketball teams were undefeated and champions in San Diego County history? Thank you for all your work with high school sports history over the years!

    1. I thanked Nick. And I thank you. I don’t think there have been undefeated football and basketball teams at the same school.
      It’s just too tough a double. Undefeated football teams are more common. I’ll do some research.

  6. Interesting overview on St. Augustine for this upcoming season. Frank Buncom IV, however, is a cornerback, not a linebacker. His grandfather, as I know you are aware, was the original number 55 for the San Diego Chargers and is in the team’s Hall of Fame. Very interestingly, the other iconic number 55 for the Chargers — Junior Seau — has a nephew on St. Augustine’s team that also plays linebacker. Quinn Seau and Buncom IV have roots that parallel the greats in Chargers history. You can read a chapter on Buncom IV and Quinn Seau’s similarities in my book, “Finding Frank: Full Circle in a Life Cut Short.”

    1. I missed on Buncom IV’s position, but I don’t think he’s a cornerback. He’s more of a “monster” in that he’s all over the field, almost a strong safety. I’ve heard of your book. I also interviewed Frank Buncom, Jr., after Chargers games when I was a sports writer at the Evening Tribune. Nice man. Tragic ending.

    1. Thank you for the info on Christian’s coach in 1978.. I could not find coaching listings for some schools in late seventies, as the CIF San Diego office does not have directories for those years. I also corrected the Grossmont-West Hills standings. For some reason the 5 teams in the Grossmont North played only three league games instead of four, so there’s no round-robin format.

  7. Absolutely awesome site. I just discovered it by accident right now. Love it. I am 2nd generation born, raised, played and coached in the South Bay of San Diego. I have always loved the CIF-SDS history. I’ll be spending a lot of time (I already have spent a lot) surfing this site.
    Thank you,

    Justin J. Schaeffer
    Resource Teacher
    Head Football Coach
    Murrieta Mesa High School
    (951) 677-0568 ext. 6421

    GO RAMS!!!!!
    Character, integrity and hard work breed opportunity.
    see us at http://www.mesafootball.org/

    1. Thanks for the very kind words, coach, and for subscribing. We have an article going today on three San Diego Section championship games yesterday.

  8. I thought it might have been a misprint. Thanks, Rick for checking -still an impressive offensive show by La Jolla.

    1. Impressive indeed, Bob. The 63 points is a La Jolla record for one game, surpassing a romp in which it whacked Kearny, 61-20, in 2002. Last week’s win also ties a 57-0 rout of Coronado in 1990 for largest point differential. Adding to that, back in the heyday of Dan Berry and Butch Taylor the Vikings beat San Dieguito, 57-7 in 1961,. Those are the three highest scores in school history. La Jolla has been punishing U. City for years, including 56-7 in 2012.

  9. I saw a score from last Friday. There were no details just the line score. At the end of 3 quarters La Jolla and University City were tied 0-0. The final was La Jolla 63, University City 6. High school quarters I believe are 12 minutes. How did La Jolla score 9 touchdowns in 12 minutes? (9 one play drives?) Does anyone have details on this game?

    1. I wondered about that, too, but a check with Jesse Kearney at UT-San Diego revealed that the actual score by quarters was La Jolla, 19-20-10-14=63 and U. City, 6-0-0-0=6. Sixty-three points in one quarter? That’s 9 touchdowns and 9 PAT attempts and 3 PAT in 12 minutes, I suppose anything’s possible. Perhaps it’s happened in 8-man or 6-man. Thanks for writing, Bob.

  10. Orange Glen has gone the way of Sweetwater, Morse, Lincoln; victims of changing demographics over time. For OG it all started to fall apart when Valley Center HS opened, and the Patriots lost all those corn-fed farm boys! So many good players came out of VC, as evidenced by Rob Gilster’s sustained success with the Jaguars. Orange Glen was also victimized by the Escondido School District, whose board members were largely Escondido HS alums – implementation of a free-for-all transfer policy within the district, intended to bolster the Cougars’ fortunes. Despite the courageous Early family’s laudable decision to keep Andy and Austin home at OG, in hopes of bolstering Patriot fortunes, the football program remains decrepit. Dick Disney was a great man whose impact on many lives, including my own, continues through the decades.

    1. Jasen, very interesting comments. You could add several other city schools to that mix. Orange Glen did have it going. I think there have been 3 or 4 NFL players, Salisbury, Lenny McGill, I think, and maybe a couple others.

  11. Rick,

    Thought you might find this photo [ed: of the OG QB club] interesting;
    OG QBs

    We had some pretty good quarterbacks come through Orange Glen for a spell there in the late 70’s through the early 1990’s. Led by Salisbury of course, but Doug Disney (and older brother Rick), Jon Mitchell, and Cree Morris; all San Diego CIF.

    1. What’s happened with Orange Glen football? Patriots had it going back then. I remember Dick Disney as an all-star at Point Loma, then later as an assistant for Chick Embrey at Escondido before he opened OG. Last I heard Sean Salisbury was in radio in Chicago. Thanks for writing.

      1. Dick Disney also was the first varsity football coach at San Marcos High School when it opened in 1961, following his stint at Escondido HS with Chick Embrey. He was at San Marcos (which was then in the Escondido Union HS District) until Orange Glen launched in 1962-63. He was an incredible coach, and an incredible person. After his retirement at OG, he was elected to the Escondido Union HS District Board of Trustees where he served until his death in 1997.
        RIP, Coach Disney.

      2. I met Disney when he assisted Chick with the 1960 team that won the first San Diego section championship. I always wondered how he got to Escondido, considering he was a big name in high school in the city at Point Loma. thanks for writing, Buzz.

    2. Before Salisbury was Ron Coppess. He went on to Palomar (lead the nation, I think, in passing and punting). Played one year for Florida State…I could tell you a story or two about Ronnie. And Dick Disney Dan Schmidt OGHS ’72

      1. Thanks for writing, Dan. The ’71 Patriots, 6-3, had the second-best won-loss record in Disney’s tenure. Your team rolled on Bear Valley Parkway.

  12. Rick, Thank you for the kind comments. Coach Leslie was definitely the right man to get our program going. That 1971 season was a lot of fun!

  13. Rick,

    Regarding your article on the best defenses in history, the 1971 Patrick Henry Patriots went 11-1 outscoring the opposition 267-53 an average of 4.4 points. We had 5 shutouts and never allowed more than 8 points in any one game. We lost to Grossmont 8-7 in the championship game but it was a great season.

    I became aware of your great website from [Webmaster] Henrik.

    1. Bob: The writer posed a question involving only “championship” teams. I researched from that angle but should have taken it further and included all teams. A one-point loss to Grossmont doesn’t dim the luster of that 1971 Patrick Henry club. Coach Russ Leslie got the new school up and running very quickly. The Patriots reached the San Diego Section finals in their third varsity season and were in the finals three times from 1971-74.

  14. Great info. But I would like read tidbits for every season. How about a list of the greatest players (by position), teams and coaches of all time?
    I am just trying to help.

    1. Malcolm, great idea. I have been thinking somewhat along those lines. I guess I would start with Charlie Powell at one of the ends although he played fullback one year at San Diego High. Jack Mashin and Duane Maley would be near the top of my coaches’ list, but I’m first concentrating on the yearly reviews and the yearly scoring leaders. Are you related to Duane Pusey, 13-foot pole vaulter at Grossmont in 1949?

  15. Mark: I’m not familiar with Jimmy Anderson. Ernie Zampese’s son, Ken, is on the Bengals staff and graduated from University High. I think Dante Scarnecchia played at Cal Western, later USIU.
    I see Lenny arevalo at breakfast every Thursday, so tell me his story and I’ll surprise him. Were you with Shacklett and Mendoza at Morse?

    1. Len’s story is set in 1973 the first year Jimmy Anderson was hired to teach at Morse and coach the defensive line for Shack. While the two of them were out for a jog around the neighborhood Jim asked Len “where do you see yourself in 10 years” Len replied “here @ Morse, I like what I am doing, why where are you gonna be?” Jim says ” I am going to be coaching in the NFL” and he still is as one of the longest tenured assistant coaches in the NFL. Coach Anderson is the innovative mind behind the warm up Morse would do before and after games known as “Tiger Jays” A tradition that has lasted from 1974 to 2011. Len can tell you the story about Dante. Bob, Len and I recently had lunch with Coach Anderson and Len told that story. Yes I had the pleasure of working with Coach Shack, Mendoza and Arevalo at Morse for 24 years. It was kind of weird working there since I graduated in 1971 and knew them as my idols. Thanks for the reply, Coach Monroe.

  16. Wow great job! I worked at Morse for 24 years and have a story Len Arevalo likes to tell about Cincinnati running back coach Jimmy Anderson and New England line coach Dante Scarnecchia. Interested?

  17. Will you be adding a section for All-CIF and All-League players. The reason I’m asking is because I was a 2nd team All Eastern League linebacker for Patrick Henry in 1984 and I lost the newspaper clipping.

    1. John: I’m trying to get these narratives written for each year, plus finding scoring leaders for every year. In time I hope to get to the “all” teams. Thanks for writing.

  18. Hi Rick. I played in the 1961 Lincoln/ Saints game losing 13 to 6 to Lincoln.
    Your parents Doug & Jane knew mine Al & Virginia Oliver ( Both Dads in the fishing industry).
    Just wanted to say hi.
    Still live in San Diego..( El Cajon).
    Al Oliver…12/07/2012

    1. Al: Good to hear from you. I see Ron Cota and John Nettles often. I think that was the game in which John made a one-handed catch. Willie Shaw and Vernus Ragsdale combined for about 225 yards rushing in that game.

  19. Rick,
    Just discovered your wonderful site (thanks to Don Norcross). It is wonderful to see a comprehensive listing of San Diego County’s proud history. I was a part of the 1965 San Dieguito Mustangs and noticed that you may have the wrong score entered for the San Dieguito/Poway game. I believe San Dieguito won, 19-14. It is entered correctly on San Dieguito’s record but not Poway’s. Thank you for putting all of this together!

    1. Richard: The score has been corrected. Game played Sept. 24, 1965. I’ll come up with the scoring summary and send. Thanks for commenting.

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This will close in 0 seconds

@
=
Away game
League game
>
>>,>>>,...
Overtime
2x,3x,... Overtime
I-V
A-AAA
O
Division I to V
Division A to AAA
Open Division
1T, 2T, ...
}, {
Final standing tie
Win, loss by 45 pt 'mercy' rule
*
**
***
^

^+
^^
1st round playoff
Quarterfinal playoff
Semifinal playoff
Championship
SoCal Championship
State Championship
8
8*
8**

8+
8-man team
Intraleague playoff
Southern Section playoff
8 vs 11-man team
~
-4
All boys, 2x enrollment
4 vs 3 grades, 9-12 vs 10-12
[
]
CA tiebreaker win,
loss
#, ##
!!
Forfeit win, loss
Game called, shortened or postponed
%Citrus-Desert Playoff

This will close in 0 seconds

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